BUILD THREAD Project long time coming

[SS_Malibu]

As I’ve said before, no matter how much time and money we have in our cars or how much we can admire our work we’ve done, it always seems that we look at everyone else’s car’s as better than our own. This, I’m sure, is due to the passion and dedication we all have as Gbody (and car) enthusiasts.
While it may be hard to do since there are so many deserving rides on this thread, those who are fortunate to win GBOTM…..ENJOY IT!
Remember, you were voted the win by us, your family, friends and piers.

 

[Streetbu]

Well I FINALLY won my battle with my brake fluid leak and low brake pedal issue. Finally got bad enough that the right front caliper was leaking fluid. After a month of sitting, it would drain the master cylinder dry. While trying to figure out where it was leaking, I found the inside, lowest piston was the culprit. After getting that piston out, this is what I found. 🤬

So much for quality remanufactured.... if the leak hadn't become worse I'm not sure how I would've found it. I never had fluid on the inside of wheel until a couple of months ago.
So I bought a Raybestos seal kit from Rock Auto for $13 and installed the one seal, and dust cap. Bled the system out and actually seem to have a decent pedal finally!

 

[Tony1968]

Chaulk it up to a good learning experience brother. Because it never ends!

 

[Streetbu]

Tackled my differential today. During my last runs at LS Fest last September I had times when the inside tire would lock up when I applied throttle after a decel into a corner. Then it happened on the way home accelerating away from a stop sign on an off ramp.
I had the rearend rebuilt last winter, and the guy said there was no way to tell what shape the carrier was in. Guess I know now. Hahaha
I've been going back and forth as far as what I was going to replace it with. Another Detroit True Track, or a more common clutch style limited slip unit. After some thought, I haven't really been nice to this unit, it was never properly setup, and it's lasted about 13 years.
So I had this one saved in my wish list on Amazon, and one day the price dropped $100 so I pulled the trigger.
Dropped the old one out. Did find one tiny piece of metal, and some metallic in the oil. Think I'll disassemble it just out of curiosity.
Pressed on new side bearings and swapped the ring gear over. I managed to drop the shim packs when I removed the old one and couldn't tell which pack went on which side. Had to just guess.
Set up my digital dial indicator and checked the backlash. I have .020" Ugh. Gotta pull it back out and swap shim packs side to side. They are .012" difference in thickness, should put me right into spec. Calling it a day so I can watch the super bowl.

 

[carnutjw]

Looks like your still pushing the range of motion limits on the roto joints. Are they feeling alright?

 

[Streetbu]

Looks like your still pushing the range of motion limits on the roto joints. Are they feeling alright?

With the rear end at full droop, yes they are nearly maxed out. They still seem good with no issues right now.

 

[Streetbu]

Swapped my shim packs side to side, remeasured my backlash, .007" now. I'll take that as a win. Now I just need to reassemble it and hopefully that will be the last time I ever have to mess with the differential again.
Next on the list, I have to get my "new" doors stripped of their handles and locks. My body guy asked if I could drop them off tomorrow for him to start on them.

 

[Streetbu]

Got the doors stripped and ready to be dropped off at my buddies tomorrow after work.

I also reassembled the rearend and rear brakes, minus the diff cover. Was waiting for the brake clean to evaporate first.

 

[Streetbu]

Few more updates. Doors are stripped, primed, and ready for some block sanding. My buddy doesn't waste any time. I'm capable of it, but the end result wouldn't be as good as he can do, would take me three times as long, and probably cost twice as much when I sand everything off multiple times 🤣

I've had an "issue" with my rear end since I got it nearly 20 years ago. It must've sat in a swamp for awhile because it was RUSTY. Especially the spring locators. They haven't become any worse, but every time I get under the car I notice them and it bothers me. Figured now is the time to fix them.

Cut a 1" tall piece of 2" pipe, and some 4" od x 2" I'd x 3/16" steel plate out. Welded them together, cut perches off the rearend, located new ones, painted, and installed springs. Much better!

Also picked up some new tires. Wanted a true 200tw tire because if I'm actually going to autox this, I'll need as much help as I can get! Hahaha. Now, what should I mount them on? 🤔 Hoping to have an update on that in the next two weeks 😎

 

[Tony1968]

That's a whole lot of winning you got there...